Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just fed my boa a rat, everything was routinely except when I returned her to her cage she began acting very strange. She is sitting in one spot where I layed her down and is twitching her tail like a cat back and forth. She won't realign her jaw and seems to be collecting air or something under her throat like a frog. I noticed she is expelling air but I don't think she is hissing. I also observed her contracting muscles in her abdomen. I have no idea what is going on but I'm very concerned why she is acting this way. Has anyone observed such behavior?

It can take a while especially if she is perturbed. The other possibility that I have seen many times is this. Sometimes the soft front edge or the lip will hook on the teeth. This sort of pulls the bottom lip back. I think most of the time they must figure out how to fix this themselves as it must happen plenty in the wild. However, I have pulled that lip off those teeth many times myself. This is a bit tricky especially if you are doing this alone like i have many times. This is when a good pair of hemostats is handy. Keep in mind if you do ever try this that the teeth curve back the opposite direction of the front. The lip needs to be pulled up and back toward the throat at the same time. It's tricky but can be done. I should video tape that sometime huh!?

The blowing out of the lower skin under the jaw or probably going up between the lower jaws, can look strange but it will most likely pass after she relaxes again.
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Jeff Ronne Sr
The Boaphile
Director USARK

Originator of Boaphile Plastics
The Boaphile Boa Site